Meet the cast of 'Under the Dome'

Published: Sunday, June 23, 2013 at 1:06 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, June 26, 2013 at 11:12 a.m.

Rachelle Lefevre

Plays: Julia, a persistent journalist with some skeletons in her closet

You’ll know her: As the vampire villainess Victoria from 2008’s “Twilight” and 2009’s “The Twilight Saga: New Moon.” Lefevre was in Wilmington in 2010 to film the pilot of an ensemble drama from executive producer John Wells (“ER”) that chronicled the travels of a mobile medical team helping in medical crises around the country. The show, dubbed “Gimmie Shelter,” was never picked up by a network for production.

Foodie faves: Her pal Billy Burke (“Revolution”) filled her in on where to eat in Wilmington. She’s visited Catch, Manna, RX and Salt Works, and devoured a deep-fried Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup at the Azalea Festival.

Mike Vogel

Plays: Barbie, a mysterious military man with a secret he can’t escape from

Ready for action: The Pennsylvania native and barbecue addict has been a firearm enthusiast since childhood and recently visited a shooting range in Southport. “It always helps to have authenticity. On a show like this, I think the effects and the stunts and everything, that’s kind of the draw of it. We’ve been driving cars through fences, and there’s a lot of fights. For my character, he’s sort of at home in that chaos because of his background. It’s an extension of what he’s lived for quite some time.”

Dean Norris

Plays: James “Big Jim” Rennie, an opportunistic car salesman and town councilman

Music man: “I got a sampling of the (Azalea) festival ... with the Lynyrd Skynyrd concert. I’m sitting in North Carolina drinking beer in a parking lot and Skynyrd is playing – I thought that was great. There’s also some great music in Wilmington. I like Groove Fetish (a four-piece jam rock band) and Mac and Juice Quartet (a rock/jam fusion band).”

Britt Robertson

Plays: Angie, a pretty waitress and hospital volunteer who has dreams of escaping her town

You’ll know her: From CW’s “The Secret Circle” and as Cara in the feature film “Dan in Real Life”

Port City connection: The Charlotte native filmed “The Last Summer,” an independent film shot on 35 mm film, in Wilmington in 2001. Set in 1981, the movie, which screened at several film festivals including IndieFest Chicago, features Robertson in her first speaking role.

Alexander Koch

Plays: Junior, a smart, secretly deeply disturbed college student desperately in love with local girl Angie

You’ll know him: Well, maybe not. Koch is relatively new to Hollywood. He made his acting film debut as Frank in Eddie O’Keefe’s independent short film “The Ghosts.” “Under the Dome” was the Detroit, Mich., native’s first TV pilot audition.

His first big gig: “I found this role and fought tooth and nail for it. It was a two-month process auditioning for it – it was pretty daunting,” he said. “They weren’t totally sure about me. I owe the casting directors everything. The day they called, I initially thought I hadn’t gotten it, but then they called back and said I had – it went from the worst day of my life to the best. My mom is a nurse, and I called her to tell her I got it, and she just bawled.”

Port City introduction: The Miami native didn’t know what to expect for her time in the Port City, but the thrill-seeker has settled in by taking stand-up paddleboard lessons, exploring Wrightsville Beach and bar-hopping to downtown at spots like Slainte Irish Pub.

Nicholas Strong

Plays: Phil, a charismatic radio DJ with a dark secret

You’ll know him: From a recent appearance on “The Office” and a recurring spot on ABC’s “Nashville”

Wilmington shout-outs: “I came from filming in Nashville to film in a Southern beach town, so I’m pretty lucky. People are lovely here – no one is ever rude to us. We all eat together a lot and have been to Manna, Rx, Salt Works and Britt’s Donuts and the Blue Post – which has a great jukebox.”

Jolene Purdy

Plays: Dodee, a brilliant and eccentric engineer at the radio station

You’ll know her from: A brief stint as Ronnie on “Glee” or her role as Piper Katins on TeenNick TV’s “Gigantic”

Southern exposure: “Growing up in L.A., it took awhile for me to get used to people’s friendly nature here. But I’ve met some amazing people so far. And the restaurants are the best.”

Aisha Hinds

Plays: Carolyn Hill, a Los Angeles entertainment attorney trapped in Chester’s Mill while driving through town with her partner on their way to deliver their teen daughter to a camp for troubled youth

You’ll know her from: Her role as phony witch doctor Miss Jeanette on HBO’s “True Blood” or one of the scores of other TV series in which she’s appeared, such as “Detroit 1-8-7,” “Weeds” and “Cult.”

Crisis management: “What’s paramount about this series is when people don’t have an out – you have to figure out what to do. Then, you start to figure out things about yourself and the town begins to feel smaller and smaller. Everyone’s crisis becomes everyone else’s problem.”

Colin Ford

Plays: Joe, a teenager determined to figure out what’s causing the dome after his parents are trapped on the outside

You’ll know him from: Guest roles on “Revolution” and “Supernatural” and playing opposite Matt Damon in “We Bought a Zoo.”

Wilmington shout-out: “My favorite part actually is the beach here, because the water’s warm, unlike L.A., where I’m from, so that’s been really nice, getting to enjoy the warm water. I like to surf and skim board and just hang out at the beach.”

<p><b>Rachelle Lefevre</b></p><p><b>Plays:</b> Julia, a persistent journalist with some skeletons in her closet</p><p><b>You'll know her:</b> As the vampire villainess Victoria from 2008's “Twilight” and 2009's “The Twilight Saga: New Moon.” Lefevre was in Wilmington in 2010 to film the pilot of an ensemble drama from executive producer John Wells (“ER”) that chronicled the travels of a mobile medical team helping in medical crises around the country. The show, dubbed “Gimmie Shelter,” was never picked up by a network for production.</p><p><b>Foodie faves:</b> Her pal Billy Burke (“Revolution”) filled her in on where to eat in Wilmington. She's visited Catch, Manna, RX and Salt Works, and devoured a deep-fried Reese's Peanut Butter Cup at the <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/entertainment10"><b>Azalea Festival</b></a>.</p><p><b>Mike Vogel</b></p><p><b>Plays:</b> Barbie, a mysterious military man with a secret he can't escape from</p><p><b>You'll know him:</b> As Deputy Zack Shelby on “Bates Motel,” A&E's drama series that follows Norman Bates as his psyche unravels</p><p><b>Ready for action:</b> The Pennsylvania native and barbecue addict has been a firearm enthusiast since childhood and recently visited a shooting range in Southport. “It always helps to have authenticity. On a show like this, I think the effects and the stunts and everything, that's kind of the draw of it. We've been driving cars through fences, and there's a lot of fights. For my character, he's sort of at home in that chaos because of his background. It's an extension of what he's lived for quite some time.”</p><p><b>Dean Norris</b></p><p><b>Plays:</b> James “Big Jim” Rennie, an opportunistic car salesman and town councilman</p><p><b>You'll know him:</b> As Walt White's complicated brother-in-law on AMC's “Breaking Bad”</p><p><b>Music man:</b> “I got a sampling of the (Azalea) festival ... with the Lynyrd Skynyrd concert. I'm sitting in North Carolina drinking beer in a parking lot and Skynyrd is playing – I thought that was great. There's also some great music in Wilmington. I like Groove Fetish (a four-piece jam rock band) and Mac and Juice Quartet (a rock/jam fusion band).”</p><p><b>Britt Robertson</b></p><p><b>Plays:</b> Angie, a pretty waitress and hospital volunteer who has dreams of escaping her town</p><p><b>You'll know her:</b> From CW's “The Secret Circle” and as Cara in the feature film “Dan in Real Life”</p><p><b>Port City connection:</b> The Charlotte native filmed “The Last Summer,” an independent film shot on 35 mm film, in Wilmington in 2001. Set in 1981, the movie, which screened at several film festivals including IndieFest Chicago, features Robertson in her first speaking role. </p><p><b>Alexander Koch</b></p><p><b>Plays:</b> Junior, a smart, secretly deeply disturbed college student desperately in love with local girl Angie</p><p><b>You'll know him:</b> Well, maybe not. Koch is relatively new to Hollywood. He made his acting film debut as Frank in Eddie O'Keefe's independent short film “The Ghosts.” “Under the Dome” was the Detroit, Mich., native's first TV pilot audition. </p><p><b>His first big gig:</b> “I found this role and fought tooth and nail for it. It was a two-month process auditioning for it – it was pretty daunting,” he said. “They weren't totally sure about me. I owe the casting directors everything. The day they called, I initially thought I hadn't gotten it, but then they called back and said I had – it went from the worst day of my life to the best. My mom is a nurse, and I called her to tell her I got it, and she just bawled.” </p><p><b>Natalie Martinez</b> </p><p><b>Plays:</b> Linda, a young, ambitious deputy who's fiercely loyal to Chief Perkins</p><p><b>You'll know her:</b> As Detective Jamie Lovato from “CSI: NY” </p><p><b>Port City introduction:</b> The Miami native didn't know what to expect for her time in the Port City, but the thrill-seeker has settled in by taking stand-up paddleboard lessons, exploring Wrightsville Beach and bar-hopping to downtown at spots like Slainte Irish Pub. </p><p><b>Nicholas Strong</b></p><p><b>Plays:</b> Phil, a charismatic radio DJ with a dark secret</p><p><b>You'll know him:</b> From a recent appearance on “The Office” and a recurring spot on ABC's “Nashville”</p><p><b>Wilmington shout-outs:</b> “I came from filming in Nashville to film in a Southern beach town, so I'm pretty lucky. People are lovely here – no one is ever rude to us. We all eat together a lot and have been to Manna, Rx, Salt Works and Britt's Donuts and the Blue Post – which has a great jukebox.”</p><p><b>Jolene Purdy</b></p><p><b>Plays:</b> Dodee, a brilliant and eccentric engineer at the radio station</p><p><b>You'll know her from:</b> A brief stint as Ronnie on “Glee” or her role as Piper Katins on TeenNick TV's “Gigantic”</p><p><b>Southern exposure:</b> “Growing up in L.A., it took awhile for me to get used to people's friendly nature here. But I've met some amazing people so far. And the restaurants are the best.” </p><p><b>Aisha Hinds</b></p><p><b>Plays:</b> Carolyn Hill, a Los Angeles entertainment attorney trapped in Chester's Mill while driving through town with her partner on their way to deliver their teen daughter to a camp for troubled youth</p><p><b>You'll know her from:</b> Her role as phony witch doctor Miss Jeanette on HBO's “True Blood” or one of the scores of other TV series in which she's appeared, such as “Detroit 1-8-7,” “Weeds” and “Cult.”</p><p><b>Crisis management:</b> “What's paramount about this series is when people don't have an out – you have to figure out what to do. Then, you start to figure out things about yourself and the town begins to feel smaller and smaller. Everyone's crisis becomes everyone else's problem.”</p><p><b>Colin Ford</b></p><p><b>Plays:</b> Joe, a teenager determined to figure out what's causing the dome after his parents are trapped on the outside</p><p><b>You'll know him from:</b> Guest roles on “Revolution” and “Supernatural” and playing opposite Matt Damon in “We Bought a Zoo.” </p><p><b>Wilmington shout-out:</b> “My favorite part actually is the beach here, because the water's warm, unlike L.A., where I'm from, so that's been really nice, getting to enjoy the warm water. I like to surf and skim board and just hang out at the beach.”</p><p><i></p><p>– Cassie Foss</i></p>